The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-03-12

come about in this way: Few mission
aries in Africa have had GrenfelPs
large and varied experience, though he
is still in the prime of life. Before we
heard of him on the Congo at all, he
told us much about the Cameroons
country, which the Germans have since
annexed. Grenfell is one of the few
men who seem to be perfectly adapted
for such life as he is leading. He loves
his wild surroundings, he loves the ex-
plorers' toilsome life, he seems to endure
the climate as well as native, and his
heart is thoroughly enlisted in the work
of Christian missions. While geog-
raphers have been reading and writing
about the new regions and tribes he
has revealed to the world, he has looked
upon these new countries chiefly as new
fields for missionary enterprises.
Grenfell made up his mind long ago
that he was destined to live and die in
Africa He decided. it is said, after
long reflection, that it would greatly
impair his usefulness if he took wife
from among the fair daughters of his
native land. He had good reason to
doubt that he would be lucky enough
to find white woman who could en-
dure as well as he the climate of the
torrid zone. He had not the slightest
desire to marry anybody whose life OF
health would be sacrificed if he took
her to Africa, or for whom he might
have to sacrifice his life work by going
back to England with her. He there
fore decided when he married to wed a
native of the country.
In the course Of time Grenfell met his
fate at the mission station and trading
post of Kabinda, on the coast not far
north of the mouth of the Congo. He
saw among the mission converts g
bright young woman who had received
fair education in the mission school OF
Kabinda. She was comedy girl. She
had been instructed for years in the arts
of housewifery by the mission ladies,
dressed in the garb of her civilized Sis
tiers, was neat and industrious and a
devout Christian. She was, in fact, in
her changed condition one of the best
products of missionary labor. GrenfelI
believed she would make him good
helpmate in his future arduous work as
pioneer missionary. In due time they
| were married. and from that day to
this, Grenfell's friends say, he has had
no reason to regret the very unusual
choice he made.
It can be said, on the authority Of
Henry NJ. Stanley, that the two babies
who have been born to Mr.. and Mrs
Grenfell are "beautiful little children
The home of the Grenfells is on Stan.
ley Pool, but until the past year they
have have not been there much of the
time. Mrs. Grcnfell and one of the
children accompanied the missionary
on some of the adventurous Journeys il
| which he has explored over 5000 mile:
of the navigable waters of the Congo
basin. She sat unperturbed and very
comfortable behind the wire screer
| that warded off the shower of arrow,
which were launched at the little
steamer Peace by the hostile natives o
Mobang River.
A writer, who evidently had no
heard of Mr.. Grenfells little romance
recently mentioned as proof of the fac
that white ladies can retain their healtl
and vigor on the Congo that the mis-
sionary, Grenfell, was accompanied OF
his long journeys by his excellent wife
NJ Y Sun.